We are so grateful for our very special gardener friend Kim, (aka Ms. T. to her 4th grade students) in the Denville, NJ public schools district. She had recently applied for a grant to bring our #PullYourWeeds® program to the 4th graders! We received the exciting news last night that the grant was approved! Starting next month we will meet with each class virtually from now until the end of the school year for a 35-45 minute social and emotional learning (SEL) workshop all rooted in the vocabulary and tools from our programs. Each session will feature an interactive mindfulness exercise, activity and craft! Now more than ever students are in need of positive resources and tools to help them navigate their emotions (at home and in-school). Our virtual/interactive workshops add a much needed brightness to any classroom environment. For more information or to book a workshop with Shanna Truffini for your school please send an email to flowers@youareagardener.com. --> Keep scrolling to learn more and watch videos about Gardener Kim, aka Ms. T and how she uses our programs in her classroom! Watch Gardener Kim (aka Ms. T.) on a very special episode of Hello Gardeners® where she shows us how to make a very powerful tool to use in the classroom. PRESS PLAY > Click the Fox above to see how Gardener Kim feels about the You Are a Gardener® programs for her students. Watch Now > Pictures from Gardener Kim's (aka Ms. T.) 4th Grade Classroom We LOVE teachers and are so grateful for all that you do to support your students mental, intellectual and emotional well-being! You are gardeners! We are now booking for Spring 2021! To schedule a virtual workshop for your school please send an email to flowers@youareagardener.com!

Hey teachers, educators and homeschool families...are you looking to add some bright and positive content to your classroom or home? Shanna Truffini is now booking virtual workshops for kids in grades K-5! ✿The program includes: a reading of her book You Are a Gardener®️, an interactive discussion about the meaning of the book, a mindfulness exercise and/or a craft. ✿The virtual session runs about 35-40 minutes and can be customized upon requests and needs of the students. ✿All gardeners will receive an official You Are a Gardener® certificate upon completion. ✿The session is ideal for kids ages 4-11 and perfect for in-classroom learning, virtual classrooms, non-profit organizations and more. Winter is the perfect time to start planting seeds for a bright and joyful Spring! For more information please email flowers@youareagardener.com WATCH A QUICK INTO TO THE #PULLYOURWEEDS PROGRAM WITH SHANNA TRUFFINI <> #PULLYOURWEEDS | #PLANTYOURSEEDS | #YOUAREGARDENER

Just as a garden starts with one seed, so does a dream. Encouraging young gardeners to nurture their dreams and follow their passions helps them to build confidence and character. So today on the #PullYourWeeds® Blog we've got some tips to help gardeners Plant Their Dreams! The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. ~Elanor Roosevelt -SCROLL DOWN FOR TIPS TO HELP A GARDENER PLANT THEIR DREAMS- Tips To Plant Your Dreams Find Your Seed-Identify what seed you want to plant. What dream do you want to see come true. (Learn an instrument, play a sport, start a lemonade stand, etc.) Do Some Digging-Do some research, learn new facts and read inspirational stories of others who have planted a similar seed. (Read about how a musician started their journey, how an athlete practiced when they were young, how a kid started their own company, etc.) Get Planting-Come up with simple ways to take action. Find a teacher, a coach, a team, or make a list of the necessary items required to get your seed growing. Water Your Seed- Pour yourself into what you are doing. Practice, push yourself and let those dreams soak up all that you have to help them to grow healthy and strong. Make a schedule, set goals and stick to it! Just Keep Growing-A little encouragement goes along with young gardeners. Keeping them on track and moving forward helps them to focus on the direction they want to 'grow', just be aware of when not to push too hard. Try New Seeds-Sometimes it takes a multitude of seeds before you get one to sprout. It is important for a gardener to know when they have given their dream their all and are ready to explore a new one. "Just remember gardeners, if you can see it in your mind, you can hold it in your hand." Watch Gardener Shanna's Message On How Gardeners Can Identify Their 'Seeds" (PRESS PLAY) #DreamBig | #PlantGoodSeeds | #YouAreAGardener

This was our first week back at filming new segments for Camp Hello Gardeners®️! Gardener Anna & Gardener Aidan have some super fun activities to share with their gardener friends! We are shooting for a February 2021 launch date of session 5, so stay tuned for more details... We would love to feature you in our next session! If you have a special skill, talent or an inspirational story and would like to be featured in an upcoming episode of Camp Hello Gardeners® please send us an email to flowers@youareagardeenr.com. Each session of Camp Hello Gardeners®️features 3-4 Guest Gardeners teaching kids new skills and fun activities! Some of our past gardeners have been: a baker, a wellness instructor, an illustrator, a tutor, a certified fitness instructor, a qi gong master, a videographer, an actor, a fifteen year old entrepreneur, a music teacher and more! Camp Hello Gardeners® video series is a grassroots, self-funded production that features fun activities, crafts, recipes and mindfulness exercises for gardeners ages 4-12 (but all are welcome)! Each session runs about 30 minutes and are rooted in empowering young kids with skills & tools to help their gardens grow healthy and strong! Catch up on Sessions 1-4 of #CampHelloGardeners®️ by watching the videos below: CLICK ON THE TV TO WATCH SESSION 1 OF CAMP HELLO GARDENERS® CLICK ON THE TV TO WATCH SESSION 2 OF CAMP HELLO GARDENERS® CLICK ON THE TV TO WATCH SESSION 3 OF CAMP HELLO GARDENERS® CLICK ON THE TV TO WATCH SESSION 4 OF CAMP HELLO GARDENERS®

Hello Gardeners! When we find ourselves outside of our comfort zones, it can be a little overwhelming to know how to respond and bring ourselves back to a calmer state of mind. We are constantly adding tons of tools to our 'emotional toolbox', but how do we keep track of them... especially in moments when we can't necessarily slow down our thoughts? Think of the things that you often carry with you when you leave the house. Your wallet, a key-chain, money, your ID, etc. The point is, there are all sorts of items we deem as 'necessary' to have on us at all times. What if we take that same idea and apply it to an object that can provide us with mindfulness tools, in those moments we need them most? Join us today in making Pocket Journals where we can write down grounding techniques, breathing techniques, and mantras. Small in size, yet mighty in reward! These pocket journals are great for gardeners of all ages to keep in your purse, your car, your children's backpack or even next to your bed. FOLLOW ALONG WITH OUR VIDEO TUTORIAL OR USE THE WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS BELOW! First, find two pieces of construction paper. Take one paper, hold it hamburger style (the long side being the vertical), fold in half once and then fold it in half again. Unfold the paper. Now turn your paper so that you are holding it hotdog style (short side is vertical). Fold the paper in half once and then fold it in half again. Unfold the paper. Hold your paper hamburger style, and using your scissors, cut horizontally 3/4 of the way across the first folded line (left to right). Go to the second folded line and do the same thing, but coming from the opposite edge of the paper (right to left). Go to the third folded line and cut it the same as the first folded line (left to right). Go back to the first strip that you cut and locate the first vertical fold. Cut vertically up 3/4 of that first vertical fold. Then fold the paper using and over, under, over, under pattern - almost as you would to make a paper fan. Once you have a small book of rectangular piece, measure a piece of paper to "bind" the book and be sure to apply glue to the spine of your folded papers. Be sure to let it dry and then fill with your favorite techniques! Here are some of our favorite mini mantras to help induce mindfulness and inner peace: -Do some petal breathing. -Drink a glass of cold water. -Listen to your favorite song. -Call a friend. -Practice 5,4,3,2,1. -Take a quick walk. What are you going to add to your pocket journal? Tag us in your pictures or send us an email! @youareagardener | flowers@youareagardener.com | You Are A Gardener™

Our family loves to try out tasty slow cooker recipes recommended by family and friends! These self-serving dishes are fun to get the whole family involved as they are easy to prepare and serve... just grab a spoon and dig in (be sure to use a potholder when lifting the lid). There are so many benefits to embracing a set-it-and-forget-it attitude when it comes to winter meals. Ready To Go ✔︎ By the time your family gets hungry, your slow cooker meal will be ready to go! Less Mess ✔︎ This one pot wonder leaves your family with minimal dishes to clean! Leftovers ✔︎ Slow cooker meals make the BEST leftovers and are easy to freeze! SCROLL DOWN TO GET THE RECIPE Cooking is a wonderful way to practice mindfulness. It simply draws our attention to the present moment and awakens us to an 'in the moment' experience. Amy’s Spicy Slow Cooker Beef 🌶 3lbs Top (or bottom) Round Beef 2 Cans Rotelle with Green Chilies 1/2 to 1 Chipotle Peppers sliced (a little goes along way) 1 Large Chopped Yellow Onion 3-4 Cloves Chopped Garlic Dry Rub Options: (I use a combo of all these but use what you have in your cabinet- you will need about 2-3 tbsp in total) Salt & Pepper Adobo Smoked Paprika Cumin Seasoned Salt Garlic Powder Bring your meat to room temperature. Mix your dry rub ingredients and coat all sides of the meat. (If you have time let the meat sit at room temp for up to an hour with the dry rub). Put half the onions and garlic in bottom of the crock pot, then add the meat, rotelle, chipotles and the remaining garlic and onions. Cook in slow cooker on high 7-8 hours or on low for 9-10 hours. The meat should be tender and fall apart easily, if not, it needs to cook longer. Tip: If you would like to thicken your sauce you can add some tomato paste, if you need to add more liquid use beef broth. You can serve this in a soft tortilla or over rice with any or all of these toppings: shredded cabbage, cotija cheese, chopped jalapeños, tomatoes, guacamole, chopped cilantro, sour cream and lime wedges on the side. (Serves about 6-8) Today's slow cooker recipe comes from our sweet & spicy friend Gardener Amy, who loves add a little kick to a simple recipe. The first time we made this, we were all blown away at how the simplest ingredients created an enormous amount of flavor! We would love to hear what some of your favorite slow cooker recipes are! Send us an email and photos (if you have them) to flowers@youareagardener.com. If your recipe gets featured, we will send you a free signed copy of You Are a Gardener. #PullYourWeeds | #PlantYourSeeds | #FutureIsFlowers

We always have so much fun with our illustrator, Gardener Kelsey. Today she is showing us how to turn numbers 61-65 into cool animals and creatures! This kid-friendly art tutorial makes learning how to draw fun, by turning numbers into animals. Scroll down to watch this step-by-step video. Keep in mind gardeners, art is wonderful way to induce mindfulness and bring your self to the present moment! PRESS PLAY TO WATCH OUR VIDEO ON HOW TO TURN NUMBERS 61-65 INTO FUN ANIMALS If you or your young gardeners are looking for a relaxing way to unwind and plant some seeds, art projects can be very therapeutic for gardeners of any age and a wonderful stress relief tool. Being creative and focusing on something positive is an excellent way to calms one mind and re-direct thoughts. This craft is #PullYourWeedsApproved because it: ✓ All you need is pencil and paper. ✓ Fun for gardeners of any age! ✓ It is a wonderful way to see things from a different perspective. For more interactive, kid-friendly art tutorials and other fun mindfulness activities check out our Camp Hello Gardeners® videos-Click Here!

Hello Gardeners! As we settle into the rest of winter, we can feel the pull towards hibernation and inactivity and with some stay at home restrictions still in place, it may feel like a long road ahead. We focus a lot of energy on the #PullYourWeeds Blog about social and emotional learning. So, how do we continue to help our kids develop these skills if their time in the classroom is restricted to a screen and/or less time face-to-face? We can start with finding ways for our kids to continue to socialize outside of the classroom - that means play dates! Keep reading to find 5 socially-distanced play date ideas that are sure to provide some much needed laughs, smiles, and socializing to your gardener's life! HOST A MOVIE WATCHING PARTY More and more streaming platforms are offering the option to host a movie watching party, but even if your preferred service doesn't, you can simply share your screen with your friends on your video conferencing app. This can be a great way to get those slumber party vibes while staying at a safe distance! TAKE A SOCIALLY DISTANCED WALK Getting some fresh air, especially in the winter, is a wonderful way to see friends! This even gives parents or guardians a chance to socialize and exercise while supervising the kids! Pick your favorite trail and remember to keep a safe distance! HOST A GROUP CRAFT NIGHT Pick out a craft and make sure you and the other kids involved have the materials. Someone can take the lead or everyone can figure it out together. In the end, be sure to hold up your creations to see how everyone's turned out! If you need tips on what to create, head to the #PullYourWeeds blog homepage and hit the "CRAFTS" filter to see all of our past crafts! PLAY A VIRTUAL GAME There are so many online games, like Words With Friends, Pictionary, and social games, but don't hesitate to rig your video chat to play a board game like Connect 4 or Chutes and Ladders. Just place pieces for your opponent as you go! PLAY A YARD GAME There are so many distance-friendly, yard games! Whether it's badminton, hopscotch, tennis, or capture the flag, it's easy to stay more than 6 feet apart! Whether it's taking walks, talking on the phone, or playing games at a distance - there are so many ways to keep our kids social! Encouraging your kids to reach out to new friends and classmates they haven't had the opportunity to get to know is also a wonderful way to keep connections strong. Have your gardeners had successful play dates this past year? We'd love to hear what's worked and how you've socialized from a distance! Send us an email to flowers@youareagardener.com. . . . @youareagardener | flowers@youareagardener.com | You Are A Gardener™

Hello Gardeners! This school year may be starting off much differently than previous years, so today we've got a few tips to help us all (parents, kids and teachers) stay positive and embrace the change. Plus, we've got some fun crafts to get you excited about being back in the classroom from making your own journal to back to school book covers (whether it's virtual or not!). 1. Set intentions A great way to celebrate a new adventure in your life is by setting new intentions. We've got two simple ways to create your own homemade journal - pick your favorite and set some intentions for the new school year! We recommend picking a day out of the week or month to write down your intentions to help stay consistent. It is a wonderful way to keep track of your progress and achievements. Click this Link to Learn How to Make: Rubber band journal, or Click this Link to learn how to make: Popsicle stick journal 2. We're all in this together Approach your teachers and classmates with openness and empathy! Given all the new changes, everyone is in the same boat. Lead by example and spread seeds of love, kindness and patience! 3. Be gentle with yourself Know that this is uncharted territory for all of us - don't hesitate to ask for help, be flexible, adjust as needed, and take time to decompress. Maybe that means taking a walk as a family, reading a book together or digging into a fun and creative project. We love making our own custom flower book covers! It is a wonderful way to make your mark and add a personal touch to your reading materials and textbooks for this new school year! Here is what you'll need: Brown paper (paper shopping bags or lunch bags work great!) Toilet paper roll Paint A book to cover! First find a piece of paper big enough to cover your book. Take your toilet paper roll and cut 1 inch wide strips on one side of the roll. Bend the strips back so you form a flower shape. Place the frayed side into the paint and stamp multiple times on your brown paper, creating a floral pattern. Set your paper aside until your paint dries. Once dry, place the painted side down and center book you'd like to cover on top. Crease the paper on the top edge and the bottom edge of the book so you know where to fold. Fold your paper so it is the correct height of your book. Fold one edge of your paper inwards - give yourself about 2 inches. Slip the front cover of your book inside the pocket you created with your last fold. Wrap the printed paper around the binding of your book and cut the paper two inches past the back cover. Fold and then slip the cover inside of the pocket. You are welcome to secure with tape, but it's not necessary if your don't want to! Enjoy your protected, newly decorated books, and feel free to make them your own! We would love to see your pictures of your custom book covers! Send us an email to flowers@youareagardener.com

Hello Gardeners! When was the last time you took inventory of your 'toolbox'? For those of you who are new to our page we are talking about the various tools you rely on to help you overcome challenges and "PULL YOUR WEEDS"! Today, we have 3 grounding techniques that are easy to remember and a wonderful addition to any toolbox! D I S T R A C T I O N Sometimes you just need to disrupt your thoughts! Playing a game (like I-spy) is a simple way to redirect - it gets you observing your surroundings and while taking focus and attention away from your pattern of thought! O B S E R V E The simple act of observing your surroundings helps bring you back to the present moment! Observation requires awareness and the ability to be present. If you want to read up on some activities that practice observation, click here! B R E A T H E We've said it before and we'll say it again! BREATHE! Deep breathing is one of the best ways to relieve stress. Check out some of our other posts for breathing techniques: Petal Breathing Belly Breathing Mindful Breathing Visualizations Create a Flower Breather If you are still looking for more tools to add to your families toolbox - no problem! Check out our post about Building Up Your Toolbox! A Friendly reminder: Finding the right tools/skills for you and your kids takes time. Be gentle with yourself and use the ones that feel the most natural...'gardening' takes time, patience and endurance.

Feeling 'left out' is one of the most uncomfortable yet normal encounters that kids and adults (of all ages) experience. Feelings of exclusion can cause one to feel angry, sad, jealous, depressed and can evoke an adaptive response that roots in our primal instinct of belonging. As clinical psychologist Sophie Mort, DClinPsy, said, “Social connection has been integral to the survival of our species. Being included in a group meant sharing resources, and being protected. " If feelings like these get threatened it is important to address them early on in efforts to help kids avoid feeling isolated and alone. Not feeling included can happen pretty regularly to young kids. Getting them to talk about what they are experiencing helps validate their feelings and encourages conversations on how to help them feel better....turning weeds into seeds. Today we have come up with 10 Healthy Ways to help your kids (or yourself) to get back in there when you are feeling left out! Pull Your Weeds- The more you can get your child to open up and verbally communicate about what they feeling helps you to validate their emotions as well as encourages them to identify negative thoughts and feelings. (In most cases, the sooner you see a weed, the easier it is to pull it out!) Put Yourself In Their Shoes- Letting young kids know you have been there before and have experienced the same feelings helps them to not feel so alone and also highlights feelings of empathy. Control The Things You Can-Discussing the things that are controllable in a certain situation helps a child understand they have choices. While you can't control what others do, you can control how you respond (not react) to them. 4. You Do You-To put it simply children need to know how truly special they are and what makes them unique is what makes our world a brighter place. Staying true to yourself even when times are tough is an act of bravery. 5. Look For New Adventures-Sometimes you just need a change of scenery. Helping your child select new activities that they are interested in can open up new relationships and new opportunities. 6. Lead By Example-Staying calm and grounded when kids open up about these situations is extremely important. Young children look to us to gauge how they should feel. If you get upset over the encounter, this can cause deeper feelings of hurt and isolation. 7. Positive Distractions-Redirecting your thoughts after talking about uncomfortable feelings can be very helpful. Reading, dancing, exercising, doing crafts, playing with your pets or snuggling up on the couch to watch movies are all positive ways to get your mind back to a calmer space. 8. Deep Roots- Consider seeking outside help if you feel your child is really struggling. Sometimes situations might be more deeply rooted than what a child can communicate. Therapy from a certified professional can be extremely important and beneficial to all. 9. Random Acts of Kindness- Doing something nice for somebody else can help you to take your mind off yourself and focus on doing something positive for someone. The emotional benefits of random acts of kindness can help you get out of the weeds and back to your flowers. 10, Choose To Feel Joy To Create Blossoms So Bright-Reminding ourselves and our kids that while we can't always control our emotions, we can choose how we want to respond to them. The more we can turn our 'weeds into seeds' (talking about negative feeling and emotions to come up with positive solutions) the more our 'flowers' (our joy) will continue to shine....You are a gardener!

How often do we hear, "I can't wait for the weekend, TGIF, or it's FriYay"...why do we have to wait until the week is over to put the 'yay' in the day? Teaching young kids to find the joy in every single day shows them that you don't have to wait for the weekends to be happy, have fun and enjoy today. In this #PullYourWeeds blog post we have put together our TOP 10 ways to help you and your family find the 'Yay' in everyday, with the added bonus of nurturing your kids social and emotional learning (SEL) skills. Scroll Down To Read Our Top 10 Ways To Add Some Yay To Your Day! #1 Have A Costume Party Let's face it, we all love to play dress up every now and then, but did you know there are a lot of social and emotional benefits too! Dressing up in costumes requires one to use their imagination, it encourages role play and helps gain confidence. (Click Photo- Paper Flower Chains) #2 Do Some Crafts Art projects are not only fun but they encourage kids to be creative. When doing arts & crafts together it helps keep everyone on the same task and appreciate each other's artistic difference. #3 Play A Board Game It's all fun and games with the added bonus of practicing self-control, sportsmanship, and positive decision making. (Click Photo- Spring Bake Off) #4 Have A Bake Off Who doesn't love a baking championship? Baking has been found to have therapeutic values which helps to ease stress and anxiety. It is a creative and meditative process that stimulates the senses with rewarding/tasty results. #5 Do A Scavenger Hunt Eye spy a tons of fun, responsible decision making, positive problem solving skills and teamwork building! (Click Photo For Recipe) #6 Make Breakfast For Dinner Kids love an unexpected twist when it comes to mealtime. Making breakfast for dinner is not only fun, but there are so many nutritious breakfast recipes that are super to easy to make. #7 Set Up A Picnic Picnics can be a great way to promote healthy eating habits, enjoy the outdoors, and spend some time together. Plus, making the food and packing the basket gets everyone involved and builds excitement. If you are looking for a fun, kid friendly snack...CLICK HERE! #8 Have A Dance Party "I feel better when I'm dancing"...literally dancing is one of the purest forms of expressing joy and happiness. It is also a fun and unexpected workout! Be sure to make sure everyone's musical taste are included! (Click The Photo To Start Watching) #9 Do A Midweek Movie Night Surprise your kids with a family approved flick, cozy blankets and popcorn! The brain chemicals released when snuggling are linked to health benefits for parents and children alike! #10 Watch Camp Hello Gardeners® If you are looking for some fun, positive screen time for you and your kids to enjoy, turn on an episode or four of Camp Hello Gardener® and bonus points for doing all the activities featured in each session! To help you and your kids put a little ‘yay’ into everyday we made a printer friendly version of our ’Make Everyday A Yay Day’ checklist for you to hang on the fridge, on a corkboard or save in your files! Happy Day, Shanna <> Your feedback helps us grow! Send us your photos, share your stories or submit some fun ideas to flowers@youareagardener.com Camp Hello Gardeners® will help put the Yay in everyday! Click the Photo To WATCH NOW! Featuring Gardener Anna, Gardener Aidan & Gardener Shanna